Sectional desk



Jan. 29, 1929. 1,700,202

L. w. LANGFORD SECTIONAL DESK Filed Dec. 10, 1926 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

LWZdrg/brd.

A TTORNEY.

Jan. 29, 1929. 1,700,202 L. W. LANGFORD SECTIONAL DESK Filed Dec. 10, 1926 :5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR0 A TTORNE Y.

Patented Jan. 29, 1929.

UNITED STATES LEONARD W, LANGFORD, OF BOSTON, MASSAGHUSETTS.

SECTIONAL DESK.

Application filed December 10, 1926. Serial No. 153,931.

This invention relates to sectional desks particularly adapted for business purposes and it is one object of the invention to provide such a desk which will be more flexible and convenient in use and which can be readily separated into units adapted to be moved with great ease in contrast to the heavy bulky desks now commonly known and used.

The two main functions served by a desk are to provide a work-table and to provide filing space for papers and various data and articles. My invention herein comprises a sectional desk made up of a work-table and a filing cabinet or cabinets as independent units, and, means cooperating therewith to readily and detachabl bind these units into a single desk unit. he advantages gained by such construction are numerous.

Among these advantages may be mentioned the followin The desk can be quickly disassembled for moving. The table and filing cases can be bought at different times and assembled into desk form any time at a later date. The independent filing cases may be made in various forms all adapted to combine with any table, thus providing great flexibility in character and adaptability to every business need. The independent filing cases readily permit of vertical filing, which is far superior to the usual horizontal filing in desk drawers. The cost of manufacture, considering the advantages obtained, is less than when the desks are made in one piece.

From the above brief description it will be seen that my invention herein comprises the combination of a table and one or more independent filin cases to form a desk of any desired speci cation. It is therefore another object of my invention to provide an improved desk of this nature and embodying these features.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one specific embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawings are not to bejconstrued as defining or limiting the scope of the inven tion, the claims appended hereto being relied upon for that purpose. I Referring to the figures of the drawings Fig. 1 is. a perspective view of the table unit of'my improved desk. 7 r

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one form of my improved desk wherein the table is combined with a single filing. cabinet.

'Fig- Sis a front View of my improved desk embodying two filing cabinets.

Fig. 4- is a rear view thereof.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of Figs. 3 and L.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary View taken approximately on line VI-VI of Fig. 5.

Fig.

7 is a bottom plan View of Fig. 6. Fig.

8 is a fragmentary side view of one of. the filing cabinets. 1

Fig. 9 is a plan view thereof.

F ig 10 is a plan view of one of the table extensions used to connect the table with a filing cabinet.

As has been stated above, the two main functions served by a desk are to provide a work-table and to provide filing space for papers and various data and articles. The table unit of my improved desk comprises a top 1 supported by legs 2, preferably detachably connected to the. top by brackets 3. Except for certain minor details hereinafter described, this table may be of the ordinary and well known construction.

The cabinet unit or units of my improve desk can be of any desired configuration and it will be understood that these units are interchangeable in a manner permitting the formingofa desk having the filing portion or portions thereof of any desired character. In the drawings I have illustrated a preferred form of filing cabinet which permits of vertical filing rather than the usual horizontal filing permittedby the drawers of desks now in common use. This filing cabinet comprises a vertically extending body portion 4 having a pivoted cover 5 over the top filing compartment 6 therein. The front door 7 of this compartment is pivoted at the bottom and connected to the cover 5 by a bar 8 in a manner pivoting the door outwardly when the cover is raised. This compartment and the bottom drawer .9 may be pro vided with the usual vertical filing cards or separators 10. The middle drawer 11 may be of the horizontal filing type if desired- I In Figs. 5 to 10 I have illustrated the details of one means which I may use for detachably connecting the table and filing cabinet or cabinets to form the same into a unitdesk. This means preferably includes a triangular shaped piece 12 which when in place forms the extension of the table end or ends. It will be understood that, if desired, the cabinets can be secured directly to the table ends but, toimake the cabinets more eonvenw ient to the occupant of the desk, the pieces 12 are preferably used to slightly incline the cabinet inwardly toward his position at the rear side of the table. It will be clear from the drawing that this arrangement is of great convenience and adds considerable to the appearance of the desk.

As illustrated in Fig. 10, the piece 12 is of triangular shape and its segmental end 13 is preferably curved and formed with a depending portion 14 to cooperate with the depending portion 15 of the table. A pair of bars 16 are secured to the lower face of the piece at one edge thereof and a pair of hooks 17 at the opposite edge. Secured to the lower face of the table ends are two pairs of U- shaped straps 18 and 19 for receiving the bars 16, and the sides of the filing cabinet are pro vided with U-shaped straps 20 for receiving the hooks 17. The pieces 12 are secured rig-' idly to the table by wedges 2]. driven through registering holes 22 and 23 in the bars 16 and straps 19.

The manner of assembling the desk units is believed to be obvious. The piece 12 is first connected to the table end by sliding the bars 16 into the straps 18 and 19. The hooks 17 are then engaged in the straps 20 by slightly elevating the table ends. The units are thereafter rigidly secured together by driving the Wedges 21 into place. It will be understood that these wedges draw the piece 12 tightly against the table end. and hold the same in such position.

It will be understood that the desk may comprise a table combined with a single cabinet at one end thereof, as in Fig. 2, or with cabinets at both ends, as in Figs. and at. To conserve space and for improving the appearance of the desk the rear table leg or legs adjacent to the filing cabinet or cabinets are preferably removed. This portion of the table is rigidly supported on the cabinet and as heretofore stated the table legs are made removable for this convenience.

The advantages of my novel desk should be clear. The tables and filing cabinets can be purchased at any time as independent units and thereafter assembled and re-assembled in any arrangement to form the desired com binations and to meet any business condition. Certain business matters require certain types of filing cabinets and certain business men prefer certain types of filing cabinets. My

improved desk satisfies all these varying conditions as will be understood. The convenience afforded in moving the desk in independent units is also a considerable factor particularly since the cabinet can be moved individually in the upright position without disturbing or disarranging any of the con tents.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A sectional desk comprising the combination of a leg-supported table, a verticallyeXtending self-supporting file case at one end of the table, and means detachably connecting the file case with the table end in a manner forming the same into a unit desk, the desk when disconnected providing an independently usable leg-supported table and file case respectively.

2. A sectional desk comprising the combination of a leg-supported table, a pair of vertically-extending self-supporting file cases respectively at the ends thereof and facing in the same general direction as the table, and means detachably connecting the table ends with the two facing sides of the file cases in a manner forming the same into a unit desk, the desk when disconnected providing an independently usable leg-supported table and two file cases respectively.

3. A sectional desk comprising the combination of a legsupported table, a vertically-extending self-supporting file case at one end of the table, the file case facing the same general direction as the table but inclined inwardly toward the occupants position at the rear side of the table, and means detachably connecting the file case with the table end in a manner forming the same into a unit desk, the desk when disconnected providing an independently usable leg-supported table and file case respectively.

4. A sectional desk comprising the combination of a leg-supported table, a verticallyextending selfsupporting file case at one end of the table, the file case facing the same general direction as the table but inclined inwardly toward the occupants position at the rear side of the table, and means detachably connecting the file case with the table end in a manner forming the same into a unit desk, the said means including a detachable extension of the table at its end and bridging the gap between such end and the file case, the desk when disconnected providing an inclependently usable leg-supported table and file case respectively.

5. A sectional desk comprising the combination of a leg-supported table, a pair of vertically-extending self-supporting file cases, respectively at the ends thereof, the file cases facing in the same general direction as the table but inclined inwardly toward the occupants position at the rear side of the table, and means detachably connecting the file cases with the table ends in a manner forming the same into a unit desk, the said means including a substantially triangular detachable extension of each table end bridging the gap between such end and the file case, the desk when disconnected providing an independently usable leg-supported table and two file cases respectively.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

LEONARD Wt LANGFORD. 

